Zach LaVine is the latest opponent to heap praise on Luka Dončić

DALLAS, TX - APRIL 7: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls and Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks talk after the game between the Chicago Bulls anb the Dallas Mavericks on April 7, 2023 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

As Luka Dončić sets the league aflame with an unparalleled scoring run to open the season, he’s leaving a trail of awestruck opponents in his wake.

When he dropped 42 points on the Heat at the start of the week, Giannis Antetokounmpo was certain to make sure his standing in the league all-time, not just current, was known.

“When you have a guy like Luka, obviously he’s one of the best scorers to ever play this game, if not the best,” Giannis said before a reporter added a “right now” at the end of his statement. “Not right now, not right now. Of all time. I feel like some people are scared to say that but it’s gotta be up there.”

A few days later, Luka scored 42 against the Kings, prompting a similar compliment from Zach LaVine.

Zach LaVine on Luka Doncic:

"Luka's one of the most talented players of all time. I don't think people actually give him enough credit for how good he really is. He one of the best scorers of all time" pic.twitter.com/F1J7iRHawh

— Oh No He Didn't 🤯 (@ohnohedidnt24) November 5, 2026

As a brief aside, LaVine had also had a funny interaction with Austin Reaves during his postgame presser after Reaves accidentally walked into the wrong room.

Austin Reaves accidentally walked into Zach LaVine’s postgame press conference, giving the two a chance to clear the air after an elbow during the game. pic.twitter.com/NZ4hbtK5bC

— Mark Haynes (@markhaynesnba) November 5, 2026

As for Luka, his performances are hard to properly describe at this point. He’s putting up numbers that we haven’t seen in a long time. The only way to properly qualify what he’s doing is to put it in an all-time context, because no one in the league has done this before.

And that’s how both Giannis and LaVine framed it. Granted, NBA players often aren’t the best at putting things in proper context — look no further than their All-Star voting — but they’re also the only ones with firsthand experience.

If Luka is leaving them repeating a similar sort of sentiment, then it’s hard not to agree.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.